By Amr Shaheen BBC Sport Online in Cairo

Egypt have formally announced their intention to host the 2010 World Cup in a letter from the Egyptian Football Association to Fifa.

The event has been promised to Africa by Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

The EFA took the decision to write to prove that they were serious about their intentions to be hosts of the world's greatest football competition.

"We made this step after we got the green light from the government represented by the ministry of Youth and Sports," confirmed EFA spokesman Medhat Shalaby.

But although the official letter expresses the Egyptians' desire to host the World Cup, it does not enforce any obligations on the country.

All countries hoping to host the tournament must send the letter before the end of this year to ensure they have a chance to join the competing bids.

And rumours persist that Egypt will withdraw their bidding at the end of the year in favour of their Arab colleagues Morocco.

Furthermore, Egypt are believed not to be taking the situation too seriously in any event because they are convinced that Fifa will be awarding the honour of hosting 2010 to South Africa.